The closing of the Puerto Rican Action Board in Lakewood leaves an uncertain future for activist, Latino community

1:51 AM,
Jan. 8, 2014

Longtime minority activist group the Puerto Rican Action Board is closing its doors in Lakewood on Friday. Eugene Espinosa (right), at work in the soon-to-be closed Lakewood office, talks with volunteer Alex Gotay.

Written by

For decades, a reliable piece of advice has been passed throughout Ocean County's Latino community when a problem arises, whether it be dealing with an unscrupulous landlord or filling out a job application: Go see Eugene.

First with the Hispanic Association of Ocean County and later with the Puerto Rican Action Board, Eugene Espinosa has been a prominent advocate for the area's low-income and immigrant population since he graduated Lakewood High School in 1973.